NEWS CENTER

Exoneree services conference scheduled

ARLINGTON - The University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work and Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice are sponsors of the 2009 Wrongful Conviction and Exoneree Services Conference from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, in the Rosebud Theater of the E.H. Hereford University Center, 300 W. First St.

This conference is designed for students, social workers, service providers, policymakers, the legal community and others who are interested in ending wrongful convictions and who provide services to those who have been exonerated.

The conference also will highlight Texas' landmark Tim Cole Act, which took effect Sept. 1. Tim Cole was wrongfully convicted as a young college student. DNA later proved his innocence, but only after he died in prison.

During the morning session, there will be a brief welcome from Scott Ryan, dean of UT Arlington's School of Social Work. Professor Jaimie Page will give a short overview of wrongful conviction, exoneration and exonerees' experiences. Select exonerees also will share their stories.

The afternoon session includes a legal/advocacy panel featuring Page, Cory Session, brother of Tim Cole; Michelle Moore, public defender and exoneration attorney; and Edwin Colfax from The Justice Project of Washington, D.C, a nonpartisan advocacy organization.

Page said the conference is designed to educate students, social workers, attorneys and others about the issue and how the public can help.

The Tim Cole Act provides exonerees compensation and offers them college tuition benefits and social services. It is the most generous compensation package in the nation.